Global sphere yo-yo device

ABSTRACT

A spinning and Yo-Yo game device in which there is a major Yo-Yo body formed of two substantially hemispherical body halves interconnected by an axle shaft which spans an annular groove between the halves. A suspension cord or string is secured at one end to the shaft for rotation therewith and with the body halves, and has a finger loop at its outer end for holding by the player as he or she manipulates the Yo-Yo up or down, sideways, or upwards to engage in a variety of maneuvers. The outer surfaces of the body halves carry ribs of varying elevation, to delineate continents, lakes, oceans, mountains, and the like, either on the Earth or other planetary bodies, and the rib elevation may be made different to produce a degree of air friction to get a faster or slower rotational speed.

United States Patent Koskiewicz July 22, 1975 GLOBAL SPHERE YO-YO DEVICE [57] ABSTRACT lnvemol'l Emily Koskiewicl, g A spinning and Yo-Yo game device in which there is a [73] Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc., YO'YO body formed of two Substantially hemi' New York, NY a part interest spherical body halves interconnected by an axle shaft whtch spans an annular groove between the halves. A Filed: l3, 1974 suspension cord or string is secured at one end to the [2H Appl NU: 489,585 shaft for rotation therewith and with the body halves, and has a finger loop at its outer end for holding by the player as he or she manipulates the Yo-Yo up or [52] U.S. Cl 46/61; 46/61 down sideways, or upwards to engage in a variety f Cl} 1/30 maneuvers. The outer surfaces of the body halves Field Of Search 46/47, 61, l32 carry ribs of varying elevation, to delineate continents, lakes, oceans, mountains, and the like, either on the References Cited Earth or other planetary bodies, and the rib elevation UNITED STATES PATENTS may be made different to produce a degree of air fric- 1,006,840 10/191 1 Floto.... 46 61 to get a faster or Slower rotational p 2,s09,s33 10/1957 Slade 46/61 Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard E. Nanfeldt 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures GLOBAL SPHERE YO-YO DEVI(E This invention relates to improvements in game devices which are commonly well known as Yo-Yos.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved spinning toy or Yo-Yo which is suspended by a string from the hand of the player and is bounced up and down to spin about its axis.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved Yo-Yo spinning toy in which there are two mating toy halves interconnected by an axial shaft about which an elongated string is wound. so that the combined toy halves are caused to spin and rotate in one direction on their downward movement. and to reverse and rotate in the opposite direction on their upward movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved spinning toy. Yo-Yo and the like. in which there is an axial shaft interconnecting two toy body halves for rotation together. and in which there is an elongated string held at one end by a finger of the hand of the player. and at its other end secured to the axial shaft in such a manner as to provoke rotation of the shaft and body halves as the string is pulled up and down.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved Yo-Yo spinning toy in which there are two body halves interconnected by an axial shaft and suspended by an elongated cord or string from the hand of the player. and in which the two toy body halves form a sphere simulating the contour ofa planetary body such as the Earth. and with embossed ribs thereon and protruding therefrom to simulate geographic areas on the planetary body. such. for example as the East and West Hemispheres. continents and ocean areas and islands.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved Yo-Yo spinning toy which is simple in design. which can be made at low cost by mass production methods, and which is attractive in appearance and can be used by children and even grownups of all ages.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof. as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Yo-Yo spinning toy as held by the player and in use.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the Yo-Yo toy shown in FIG. I. apart from the player. and on an enlarged scale. the sustaining string cord being shown in fragment in its middle.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view taken substantially on viewing Plane 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view taken substantially on viewing Plane 4--4 of FIG. 2.

In connection with toys. it has always been a problem for one child or other person to play a game alone and without the aid of someone else. especially where there was no one else available to play. Thus in ancient times. a rounded rock could be rolled up a hill. and allowed to rollback by gravity force to the sole player. A rubber ball could be thrown against a wall. and bounced back to the sole player. An Australian Boomerang could be thrown into the air toward an animal or bird to be hunted. and could be expected to return to the hunters hand.

The present invention seeks to be sure that the missile being thrown must return to the thrower or player. and this is accomplished by fastening a string or cord to the toy. which is thus held by the hand ofthe player. and yet which permits a great variety of movements and manipulations of the toy during its outward and return motions. by means of hand and finger movements of the player. The Yo-Yo has found its use as a really challenging toy since many regional and national tournaments have taken place under its name. with championships awarded for skill and dexterity and novelty of construction and in playing the game.

The present invention seeks to advance the art of the Yo-Yo game by presenting a novel and improved construction. In order to understand clearly the nature of the invention and the best means for carrying it out. reference may be had to the drawings. in which like numerals denote similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is the player holding in his or her hand the upper end finger loop or yoke I0 on the upper end of the retaining string or cord I2. The main body 14 of the Yo-Yo is suspended by its controlling cord I2 which is engaged with the axial shaft I6 of the axle 17. which extends into the sphere halves l8 and I9 and is secured thereto for rotation therewith.

The suspending cord 12 is secured at its lower end portion 20 to the axle I7. by being either pinned thereto by a pin or friction-ally or adhesively securely tied thereto. so that the rotation of the axle 17 can be controlled by the players manipulations. the force of Gravity. or otherwise. whether the sphere or Yo-Yo is merely dropped by hand. or forcibly thrown outwardly sidewise from the player to achieve unusual and startling results of manipulation. It is to be noted that while the two main body halves I8 and I9 are mutually spaced from each other by the hollow alleyway 24 therebetween and across which the axle 17 extends. the alleyway is intended to accommodate the control string 12 which is wound about the axle l7 and to allow the string free movement in and out thereof.

However. as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the spherical outer contour of the assembled hemispheres I8 and I9 and including the cut-away space of the alleyway 24, forms a relatively true sphere. According to a modified form of the invention. the entire combined hemispheres and axle I6 may be formed out ofa single integral block of wood or other material. with the alleyway 24 ground or grooved out to leave only the axle I6 connecting the halves together. or molded in a molding operation by well known plastic molding methods.

On the outer surfaces 32 and 34 of the sphere halves. there are carried representations such as at 36 and 38 of the geographic and relief areas and features of the major areas of the planet depicted by the spheres. such as the United States. South America. Europe. Africa. Australia and the other areas. or of identified areas of the Moon or other planets. As the Yo-Yo is intended to spin at relatively high speeds as it is manipulated by a player. the surface friction can be enhanced by placing embossed ribs 40 on the outlines of the borders of the delineated areas of the planet. which protrude substantially out beyond the surface of the spherical halves. so as to introduce a delay frictional factor into the rotation of the halves due to air friction. This may make it more or less difficult for players having various skills and at various ages.

lt is understood that various changes may he made in size. shape. materials and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having herein described the invention. what is claimed as new is:

l. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device, which comprises:

a. two complementary body portions having substantially rounded outer surfaces;

b. an axle shaft joining said body half portions together in a spaced configuration with an annular grove between said body half portions;

c. an inner end of an elongated suspension cord communicating with said axle shaft and an outer end of said suspension cord adapted to receive by a hand of a Yo-Yo player; and

d. a plurality of border ribs contained on said outer 4 rounded surfaces of said body half portions said ribs projecting in and out from said rounded surfaces. said ribs adapted to produce various degrees of air friction to produce as a means for controlling a speed of rotation of said body half portions.

2. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 1. wherein the projections of each said rib from each said body half portion are adjustable.

3. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 2. wherein an luminescent paint coating deposited on each said rib.

4. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 3 wherein each said body half portion is shaped as substantially hemispherical body separated from each other by said annular grove.

5. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 4, wherein said rounded outer surfaces have relief areas thereon for simulating a contour of a planetary body. 

1. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device, which comprises: a. two complementary body portions having substantially rounded outer surfaces; b. an axle shaft joining said body half portions together in a spaced configuration with an annular grove between said body half portions; c. an inner end of an elongated suspension cord communicating with said axle shaft and an outer end of said suspension cord adapted to receive by a hand of a Yo-Yo player; and d. a plurality of border ribs contained on said outer rounded surfaces of said body half portions said ribs projecting in and out from said rounded surfaces, said ribs adapted to produce various degrees of air friction to produce as a means for controlling a speed of rotation of said body half portions.
 2. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 1, wherein the projections of each said rib from each said body half portion are adjustable.
 3. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 2, wherein an luminescent paint coating deposited on each said rib.
 4. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 3 wherein each said body half portion is shaped as substantially hemispherical body separated from each other by said annular grove.
 5. A spinning and Yo-Yo game device according to claim 4, wherein said rounded outer surfaces have relief areas thereon for simulating a contour of a planetary body. 